Rochdale at the forefront of canine training

The founder, Cath Phillips with her dogs

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Cath Phillips, owner and founder of Rochdale’s On Track Dog Training School, has introduced two schemes that she believes enhance the behavioural training and relationships between local dog owners and their dogs.

The On Track Behavioural Clinic offers behavioural consultations and practical training schemes at affordable prices.

With the help and support of loyal club members, Cath found a way of supporting owners of problem dogs. It became known as the Good Buddy Scheme.

Owner and dog start an apprenticeship during which they attend at least 10 training workshops. Once they have completed them, they are teamed up with a re-active dog, their ‘buddy’, and get to work.

Cath was facing another dilemma in that dog owners were concerned about the lack of space available  to let their dogs loose and practice all the skills they were learning on the Good Buddy course, hence she came up with a second scheme.

Cath explained: “This scheme provides a safe environment for the owner to practice handling skills and we are able to monitor a dog’s progress. They wanted to be sure their dog would not cause problems for other dogs and also wanted somewhere away from other dogs that were running free.”

Cath set out to find land where On Track could set up a dog park and, with the Council's permission, get to work.

Cath said: “On Track members were amazing, giving up their evenings and weekends to clear the land, fence it and plant 500 metres of hedgerow and for the last five years people have been able to rent a daily half hour slot having the park all to themselves.”

Cath added: “We firmly believe that the Good Buddy Scheme and the Dog Park have enabled many people to enjoy their dogs and experience a feeling of achievement. Many owners say they came very close to re-homing which is so sad because problem dogs have an uncertain future if their family give up on them. Although many On Track members have gained much success in Kennel Club competitive sports, the heart of the club lies with its work in the community helping others.”